Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Assoc.

Notice to Atlantic Halibut Fish Harvesters

Fixed Gear less than 13.1716 (45 feet), PEI Fleet

The Department of Fisheries & Oceans Canada (DFO) will be announcing the details of the 2022 commercial PEI Atlantic Halibut fishery soon and have advised that approx. 69 mt of halibut will be available to PEI. The anticipated management plan will be based on individual catch limits for each PEI groundfish harvester who registers for the fishery. Not registering or participating in the 2022 halibut fishery will not prevent an eligible harvester from participating in this fishery in future years. The anticipated dates of the season are as follows with confirmation by DFO anticipated soon.

· 1^st opening: Tuesday, July 12^th to Friday, July 15^th

· 2^nd opening: Tuesday, July 26^th to Friday, July 29^th

· 3^rd opening: Tuesday, September 13^th to Friday, September 16^th

· 4^th opening: Tuesday, September 27^th to Friday, September 30^th

Other management measures are expected to be similar to last year.

4T5/4T7 PILOT PROJECT CONTINUED IN 2022: The details will be confirmed soon on the reopening of 4T5 (North Western PEI & NB) and 4T7 (western half of Northumberland Strait) fishing areas for a specified number of PEI registered groundfish fishers for the 2022 season. This is considered the second year of a two-year pilot project. DFO will be confirming the number of PEI commercial fishers able to participate in 2022. These fishers will be given special permission (through a section 52 permit) to fish in these two areas during the regular PEI halibut fishing season. In an effort to collect information on the by-catch levels in 4T5 and 4T7, these fishers may require the addition of cameras or at-sea observer coverage for trips. This will not be an additional expense to the fisher.

Fishers wanting to participate in the 2022 PEI Commercial Halibut fishery are required to register with the PEI Fishermen’s Association during the ten-day online registration period.

~ REGISTRATION DETAILS ~

Registration Dates: Friday, June 17^th until 4:30PM, Monday, June 27^th, 2022

Fee: $250.00 including HST. The fee covers fleet observer coverage and contribution towards groundfish fleet improvement activities.

Payment Method: Online payment with credit card (Visa, Mastercard or AMEX). Contact the PEIFA Office if you require another method for payment.

How to Register: Fishers can register online or by phone. Online link is www.peifa.org and click the tab ‘PEI Halibut Fishery Registration’ to enter registration info and the secure link for payment will follow. To register by phone call 902-566-4050.

Required Information: Fisher’s name (and company name if applicable), phone #, FIN #, homeport, vessel name, VRN#, Groundfish license #. Additional info required for at-sea observer vessel safety include: # of persons on board including Captain, # of inflatable life rafts onboard (and # persons raft is capable of accommodating), # of life rafts other than inflatable, # of life jackets onboard.

Optional information: Fishers wanting to enter the draw for an opportunity to fish halibut in 4T5 &/or 4T7 in the pilot project will have to check the box on the online registration form. Fishers will be notified of the draw results following the closure of the registration period.

Registrations after 4:30PM, Monday, June 27^th, 2022 will NOT be accepted

There will be NO REFUNDS on Registration Fees

The list of registered fishers will be submitted to DFO and the fishery will open via variation order for those fishers. The number of registered fishers is important to determine the individual catch limit per fisher for the 2022 PEI Commercial halibut fishery only.

For further information on the registration contact the PEIFA at 902-566-4050. A copy of the 2022 Halibut Conservation Harvesting Plan will be posted on the website at www.peifa.org when DFO makes this information available. For information on the management plan, contact Ben Moore, DFO Chief Resource Manager at Benjamin.Moore@dfo-mpo.gc.ca .